Verstappen: Dominating is ‘the most beautiful’ way to win
Max Verstappen has said that he prefers to dominate races than having to execute his trademark feats of overtaking, after controlling the Formula 1 Mexican Grand Prix from the first lap.
Verstappen is renowned for his brave overtaking manoeuvres, such as those at the 2016 Brazilian Grand Prix, and is loved by fans for spicing up what could otherwise be a processional race.
However, after his victory at the Mexican Grand Prix, a race where he was unchallenged after the opening lap, Verstappen has said that he misses the dominance that he enjoyed earlier in his racing career.
“This is winning [speaking of his dominant victory] – and I think this is the most beautiful way of doing it,” said Verstappen.
“Of course, overtaking is fun.
“But in recent years I’ve never been in a position that I could control races.
“But this is what I did in karting, actually, and in the end, this is what you want to do.
“Overtaking is definitely nice, but to me it’s not something that’s necessary.
“Ultimately you want to win races like [Lewis] Hamilton and eventually win a championship.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had previously suggested that Verstappen had been so dominant in the Mexican Grand Prix that he had been bored, but the Dutchman looks much more favourably on the win.
“This is certainly one of my favourite ones of course, because you not only won the race, you also controlled it, without any pressure from behind.
“I hope that we will be in the same position next year. From the very first race.”